Pastors share personal struggles with porn addiction

Two Christian pastors, both living in different parts of America, are speaking openly and honestly — to their respective congregations and others — about their own personal struggles with pornography addiction in an effort to reach out to others who may be battling this same problem.

The Oklahoma City Oklahoman reports that the Rev. Chris Beall's battle with pornography started at a very early age when he found a pornographic magazine. The Internet increased his ability to access pornography anonymously, and his appetite for pornographic materials accelerated even as he was establishing himself as a pastor. Eventually, he began chatting online with women, then meeting those women for illicit — and still mostly anonymous — affairs.

His wife became aware of his addiction when one off-and-on affair resulted in pregnancy.

"'My world literally changed in about a 60-second period,' Cindy Beall said. "I went straight into the pit of despair. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. It was that bad. I wasn't going to take my life but it would have been OK if somebody else had."

The Oklahoman article explains the challenges the Bealls faced as they worked together to save their marriage while the Rev. Beall was working to overcome his addiction. Today they are finally at the point where they have enough strength to work with others who are in the same situation they were in.

"'I don't believe I'm fixed but I do believe I'm free,' Chris Beall said. 'Our relationship with each other and our relationship with (our children) is amazing. I believe it's what God intended for us.

"'My life's purpose is not to die screwing up the best story I know, which is a healed marriage.'"

Wyandotte, Mich., pastor Jeremy Gyorke has taken an aggressive approach to sharing his personal battles with pornography addiction. He preaches about it over the pulpit.

"'It's a tough topic, so not everybody chooses to tackle it,' Gyorke told the Detroit FreePress. "It's such a prevalent issue."

Gyorke's purpose in addressing pornography addiction during his Sunday sermon was to "bring awareness to the issue, provide an encouraging environment for those struggling to seek help, provide resources for addicts and tips to help parents talk to their children about the subject," reporter Elisha Anderson wrote.

"'I'm so passionate about it because of how it almost destroyed my life,' Gyorke said, adding that he has been porn-free for about seven years.